Scientometrics Immigrants: A New Concept for Health Managers and Researchers

Today, we sometimes see the resistance of researchers and managers of the health system to the concepts of scientometrics and their application in policy and planning, which is partly due to the inappropriate use of these concepts of science production and evaluation of researchers. Lack of sufficient knowledge about this field's benefits seems to be the main reason for this confrontation. Accordingly, researchers and managers who have a defensive attitude towards learning and using scientometrics concepts can be called "Scientometrics Immigrants," and people interested in this field can be called "Scientometrics Native." This defensive attitude can be due to aging, lack of sufficient opportunity to learn these concepts, distrust of indicators, etc. Recognizing and using scientometrics concepts (in general) in different dimensions can help other disciplines, health-related institutions, researchers, and managers in research and provide the basis for their research's quantitative and qualitative growth. Therefore, this article aims to examine scientometrics immigration and its dimensions and the role of librarians and medical informants, as well as scientometrics specialists in helping other individuals and health institutions in the field of production and dissemination of science

Information Typology among Children in Covid-19: A commentary

The domain of children's health is one of the essential parts of the health system. In crises, one of the most vulnerable groups is children, and it is necessary to predict essential planning in advance to support them. Such programs need to be prepared to meet the many information needs of children in crisis; this information should be varied and tailored to the type of children's questions. In the Covid-19 crisis, children had different experiences as a sensitive group. They were forced to abandon many natural habits and activities and live and act with certain restrictions. These limitations themselves led to the formation of new information needs, as well as the typology of children's information. In this article, we try to describe and explain the authors' views about this type of information. Typology of children's information in crises helps professionals to identify the types of children's information needs and prepare themselves to respond to them. Besides, this typology helps researchers conduct new research. Furthermore, this diversity of information also helps educators, the media, and families to respond to children's questions appropriately during crises; because these questions are natural

Occurrence of RD149 and RD152 deletions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Pakistan

Introduction: Central Asian Strain 1 (CAS1) is the predominant Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype in Pakistan. The occurrence of deletions in regions of differences (RDs) among CAS1 and other predominant genogroups in the country were investigated. Methodology: Using stratified random sampling, 235 M. tuberculosis (185 pulmonary, 50 extrapulmonary) strains were selected from 926 previously spoligotyped isolates, including 171 CAS strains (133 CAS1 (ST26), 38 CAS subfamily), 8 Beijing isolates, 47 isolates belonging to other previously defined ( Other ) clusters, and 9 previously undefined Unique isolates. Commonly reported RD deletions, RD1, RD750, RD207, RD149, RD152, RD105, RD150, RD142 and RD181, were investigated using a PCR - based method. Results: Deletions in RDs 750, 149 and 152 were identified among CAS strains, and in RDs 207, 149, 152, 105, 150, 142 and 181 in Beijing isolates. CAS1 strains showed more frequent RD149 deletions compared with CAS subfamily strains (p=0.036), and more frequent RD152 deletions compared with Other clusters (p=0.003). RD149 and RD152 deletions were more frequent in Beijing isolates compared with CAS1 strains (p \u3c 0.001). Concurrent RD149 and RD152 deletions were more frequent in CAS1 compared with Other clusters (p \u3c 0.001) and in Beijing strains compared with CAS1 (p \u3c 0.001). No significant difference was detected in RD deletion patterns between pulmonary and extra pulmonary isolates. Conclusion: Higher frequencies of RD149 and RD152 deletions and of concurrent RD149 and RD152 deletions were found in CAS1 and Beijing strains compared with CAS subfamilies, Other clusters and Unique strains. No association between these deletions and disease presentation, pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis, was observed

A review of methods and models of technology transfer

Technology transfer is a complex and sensitive process, if not conducted through awareness and research will entail hefty and immense costs and losses. Since the audience of this process are mostly in developing countries, it can be stated that studying and investigating the trend of most technologies transferred to the developing countries commonly indicates the weaknesses that due to unawareness of the conditions and existing needs and also policies and objectives the technology transferors follow could lead to irreparable failures, thus inhibiting the applicant from accessing the technology itself. The importance of technology transfer and its role in the industrial development of countries and filling of the technology gap between the developing and developed countries is inevitable. Technology transfer is conducted in various ways based on the conditions of the receptors and donors of technology. In this paper, the process of technology transfer and types of relevant methods that would lead to effective technology transfer are going to be elaborated. Also, models related to technology transfer will be examined

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Central Asian Strain (CAS) lineage strains in Pakistan reveal lower diversity of MIRU loci than other strains

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Central Asian Strain (CAS) lineage strains are predominant in South Asia. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) typing is an effective way of determining genetic diversity of strains. A maximum of 24 loci-based MIRU-VNTR typing can be used, however, it is important to investigate the relevance of specific MIRU loci for regional strains for more cost-effective MIRU typing. MIRU-VNTR typing was performed on MTB strains from Pakistan. Strains were comprised of CAS (n=113) and non-CAS lineages (n=87) - both multi-drug resistant (MDR) and drug susceptible. Hunter Gaston Discriminatory Index (HGDI) for each MIRU loci was interpreted as poor, moderate or highly discriminatory. Results were analyzed using Bionumerics software and miru-vntrplus database link. Clustering analysis revealed 185 different MIRU types. Eight clusters of 2 strains each were present amongst MDR (3 clusters) and drug susceptible (5 clusters) isolates. MDR clusters had orphan and Haarlem strains, whereas drug susceptible strain clusters were comprised of CAS and Beijing lineage strains. The HGDI for 15 loci-based MIRU typing of all isolates was 0.620, whereas HGDI for CAS was lower than non-CAS lineage strains (p-value: 0.023). HGDI of 8 MIRU-VNTR loci (Qub 26b, 10, 26, 4156, Mtub 04, 16, 31 and ETR-A) were all highly discriminatory. The average HGDI based on these 8 loci was significantly lower for CAS than non-CAS strains (P value: 0.03). The lower discriminatory index for CAS using both 15 and 8 MIRU loci-based analysis suggests less genetic diversity in these isolates than in other lineages. The eight highly discriminatory MIRU loci for CAS may help in monitoring the transmission of MTB strains in regions with high CAS lineage prevalence

Presence of RD149 deletions in m. tuberculosis central Asian strain 1 isolates affect growth and TNFalpha induction in THP-1 monocytes.

Central Asian Strain 1 (CAS1) is the prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis genogroup in South Asia. CAS1 strains carry deletions in RD149 and RD152 regions. Significance of these deletions is as yet unknown. We compared CAS1 strains with RD149 and concurrent RD149-RD152 deletions with CAS1 strains without deletions and with the laboratory reference strain, M. tuberculosis H37Rv for growth and for induction of TNFα, IL6, CCL2 and IL10 in THP-1 cells. Growth of CAS1 strains with deletions was slower in broth (RD149; p = 0.024 and RD149-RD152; p = 0.025) than that of strains without deletions. CAS1 strains with RD149 deletion strains further showed reduced intracellular growth (p = 0.013) in THP-1 cells as compared with strains without deletions, and also as compared with H37Rv (p = 0.007) and with CAS1 RD149-RD152 deletion strains (p = 0.029). All CAS1 strains induced higher levels of TNFα and IL10 secretion in THP-1 cells than H37Rv. Additionally, CAS1 strains with RD149 deletions induced more TNFα secretion than those without deletions (p = 0.013). CAS1 RD149 deletion strains from extrapulmonary sources showed more rapid growth and induced lower levels of TNFα and IL6 secretion in THP-1 cells than isolates from pulmonary sources. This data suggests that presence of RD149 reduces growth and increases the induction of TNFα in host cells by CAS1 strains. Differences observed for extrapulmonary strains may indicate an adaptation which increases potential for dissemination and tropism outside the lung. Overall, we hypothesise that RD149 deletions generate genetic diversity within strains and impact interactions of CAS1 strains with host cells with important clinical consequences

M. leprae inhibits apoptosis in THP-1 cells by downregulation of Bad and Bak and upregulation of Mcl-1 gene expression

BACKGROUND: Virulent Mycobacterium leprae interfere with host defense mechanisms such as cytokine activation and apoptosis. The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis is regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Expression of Fas ligand and apoptotic proteins is found in leprosy lesions and M. leprae has been shown to activate pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 genes, Bak and Bax. However, the mechanism by which M. leprae modulates apoptosis is as yet unclear. We investigated expression of apoptotic genes in THP-1 monocytes in response to infection by M. leprae and non-pathogenic M. bovis BCG. RESULTS: M. leprae did not induce apoptosis in THP-1 cells, while BCG induced a significant loss of cell viability by 18 h post-infection at both (multiplicity of infection) MOI-10 and 20, with an increase by 48 h. BCG-induced cell death was accompanied by characteristic apoptotic DNA laddering in cells. Non-viable BCG had a limited effect on host cell death suggesting that BCG-induced apoptosis was a function of mycobacterial viability. M. leprae also activated lower levels of TNF-alpha secretion and TNF-alpha mRNA expression than BCG. Mycobacterium-induced activation of apoptotic gene expression was determined over a time course of infection. M. leprae reduced Bad and Bak mRNA expression by 18 h post-stimulation, with a further decrease at 48 h. Outcome of cell viability is determined by the ratio between pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins present in the cell. M. leprae infection resulted in downregulation of gene expression ratios, Bad/Bcl-2 mRNA by 39% and Bak/Bcl-2 mRNA by 23%. In contrast, live BCG increased Bad/Bcl-2 mRNA (29 %) but had a negligible effect on Bak/Bcl-2 mRNA. Heat killed BCG induced only a negligible (1–4 %) change in mRNA expression of either Bak/Bcl-2 or Bad/Bcl-2. Additionally, M. leprae upregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic gene Mcl-1 while, BCG downregulated Mcl-1 mRNA. CONCLUSION: This study proposes an association between mycobacterium-induced apoptosis in THP-1 cells and the regulation of Bcl-2 family of proteins. M. leprae restricts apoptosis in THP-1 cells by downregulation of Bad and Bak and upregulation of Mcl-1 mRNA expression

Differential combination of cytokine and interferon- gamma +874 T/A polymorphisms determines disease severity in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background:Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects nearly 1/3 of the world population and this reservoir forms the largest pool from which new cases arise. Among the cytokines, IFN-gamma is a key determinant in protection against tuberculosis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFN-gamma gene (+874 T/A) which determine TT high ((hi)), AA low ((lo)) and TA intermediate ((int)) responder phenotypes have shown variable associations with tuberculosis disease outcome in different ethnic populations. The objective of the current study was to analyze IFN-gamma gene combinations with other IFN-gamma regulating cytokine genes (IL-10, TNF -alpha, IL-6) to see the effect of gene- combinations on disease severity outcome in pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods andFindings:Study groups comprised of pulmonary TB Patients stratified according to lung tissue involvement into mild (Pmd = 74) or advance (Pad = 23) lung disease and compared with healthy controls (TBNA = 166). Genotype analysis was carried out using amplification refractory mutation system-PCR (ARMS-PCR). IFN-gamma gene (+874 T/A) functional SNP combinations in TNFalpha (-308 G/A), IL-10 (-1082 A/G) and IL-6 (-174 G/C) were analyzed. Single gene analysis (Pearson chi) showed a dominant association of IFN-gamma TT (hi) genotype (p = 0.001) and T allele (p = 0.001) with mild disease. IFN-gamma(lo) -IL-10(lo) genotype combination was associated with advanced disease (p = 0.002). IFN-gamma(hi) -IL-6(hi) combination was associated with mild disease (p = 0.0005) while IFN-gamma(lo) -IL-6(int) was associated with protection against both forms of pulmonary disease (p = 0.002).Conclusion:Our results show that a limited number of IFN-gamma gene combinations with other cytokine functional SNPs determine the outcome of disease severity in tuberculosis